Jewelry clasp

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an improved jewelry clasp. In particular, the present invention is directed to a jewelry clasp that allows for stringing objects but secures strung objects when removed from a user&#39;s neck. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a necklace with threaded ends. Each end preferably is threaded into a threaded section rotatably attached to a magnet. Each magnet is magnetically and removeablely attached to the other magnet. Thus, beads or other objects can be strung onto one threaded end of the necklace and then secured by the threaded section and clasped with the magnets.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is an improved jewelry clasp. In particular, the present invention is directed to a clasp that secures strung objects when removed from a user's body.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a number of jewelry clasps exist in the prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 1,410,770 (Silverman et al); U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,477 (Mizuno); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,276 (Pemberton). However, prior art necklace clasps can be insecure for strung objects, difficult to remove from a user, and/or difficult to string objects onto the jewelry clasped. For example, Silverman et al uses only a male and female threaded end. This makes opening and closing of the clasp difficult and does not address securing strung objects when the jewelry is unclasped. Mizuno and Pemberton disclose the use of magnets to clasp jewelry. However, these clasps does not address stringing objects and securing those objects. Therefore, an improved necklace clasp that allows for stringing of objects, secures strung objects and allows for easy removal from the user is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved jewelry clasp. In particular, the present invention is directed to a jewelry clasp that allows for stringing objects but secures strung objects when removed from a user's neck. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a necklace with threaded ends. Each end preferably is threaded into a threaded section rotatably attached to a magnet. Each magnet is magnetically and removeablely attached to the other magnet. Thus, beads or other objects can be strung onto one threaded end of the necklace and then secured by the threaded section and clasped with the magnets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention as a necklace;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment threaded end of a piece of jewelry;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment threaded section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment necklace with first and second threaded ends; and,

FIG. 5 is side cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment necklace threaded with beads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an improved jewelry clasp.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention 10 is shown as employed on a necklace. Other pieces of jewelry can utilize this clasp system such as bracelets and anklets. The preferred embodiment necklace has a first magnet 20 and a second magnet 30. The first magnet 20 is preferably connected by a hook and loop 25 to a first threaded section 27. The first threaded section 27 is preferably threaded onto a first end 40 of a necklace body 100, e.g. a 1.5 mm diameter rubber cord, a gold or silver chain, etc. A preferred necklace body with first and second threaded ends 40 and 50 are shown in FIG. 4. The second end 50 is preferably threaded into a second threaded section 37. The second threaded section 37 is preferably connected by a hook and loop 35 to the second magnet 30.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side cross-sectional view of the first threaded end 40 is shown. The threaded end 40 preferably comprises a threaded end-piece 42 attached to the first end of the necklace body 100. Preferably, the threaded end-piece 42 is male and is plastic, such as Delrin plastic, glued to an end of the necklace body 100. One alternative to this construction could use metal threaded end-pieces 42 crimped onto the necklace body 100. A preferred size for the threaded ends is 2-56 thread size.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the first threaded section 27 is shown attached by hook and loop 25 to the first magnet 20. The first magnet comprises a first magnet jacket 21 that has the loop portion of the hook and loop and a magnet 22. The magnet is preferably a neodymium magnet that is glued to the magnet jacket 21. The first magnet 20 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first threaded section 27. The magnet 22 has a first polarity opposite the second magnet's polarity to insure a sufficiently strong magnetic attraction between the two magnets 20 and 30 to clasp the necklace 10 shut.

The hook of the hook and loop 25 is preferably attached to the first threaded section 27 at a loop end. The loop is preferably free to rotate in the first threaded section 27. The first threaded section 27 is preferably female to receive the male threaded end 40 of the necklace body 100.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a side cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment necklace being threaded with beads 110 is shown. The first threaded section 27 is removed from the first threaded end 40. The beads 110 preferably have an inner hole diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first threaded end 40. Accordingly, the beads 110 can be threaded over the first threaded end 40 onto the necklace body 100. However, the first and second magnets 20 and 30 and/or first and second threaded sections 27 and 37 have diameters larger than the beads 10 and the first and second threaded ends 40 and 50. Accordingly, when the first threaded section 40 is threaded onto the threaded end 40, the first and second magnets 20 and 30 and/or the first and second threaded sections 27 and 37 prevent the beads 110 from sliding off the necklace body 100 on either end. The necklace 10 can then be clasped shut by joining the first and second magnets 20 and 30 together magnetically and opened by breaking the magnetic attraction between the two magnets 20 and 30 without having the beads 10 slide off of the necklace 10.

Beads 110 are merely a simple example to demonstrate the utility of the present invention. Other objects such as charms, pendants and other items can be strung and maintained on a piece of jewelry using the present invention. In the preferred embodiment shown, beads 110 with interior hole diameters of 2 mm to 6 mm could be used. Of course, these diameters could be increased or decreased depending on the size of the components of the invention to prevent beads from slipping past the clasp.

Thus, an improved jewelry clasp is described above. In each of the above embodiments, the different positions and structures of the present invention are described separately in each of the embodiments. However, it is the full intention of the inventor of the present invention that the separate aspects of each embodiment described herein may be combined with the other embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. For example, the threaded ends 40 and 50 could have female threaded end pieces 42 and the first and second threaded 27 and 37 sections could be male. 

1. A jewelry clasp comprising: a first magnet having a first magnet diameter and a first polarity; the first magnet connected to a first threaded section having a first threaded section diameter; where the first threaded section diameter is less than the first magnet diameter; a second magnet having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; where the second magnet is removeably and magnetically joined to the first magnet.
 2. The jewelry clasp of claim 1 where the second magnet further comprises a second magnet diameter; the second magnet connected to a second threaded section having a second threaded section diameter; where the second threaded section diameter is less than the second magnet diameter.
 3. The jewelry clasp of claim 1 where the first threaded section is rotatably attached to the first magnet.
 4. A piece of jewelry having a clasp, comprising: a first magnet having a first magnet diameter and a first polarity; the first magnet connected to a first threaded section having a first threaded section diameter; where the first threaded section diameter is less than the first magnet diameter; a second magnet having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; where the second magnet is removeably and magnetically joined to the first magnet; the piece of jewelry having a first end and second end; the first end of the piece of jewelry having a first threaded portion insertable into the first threaded section; where the second end is connected to the second magnet.
 5. The piece of jewelry having a clasp of claim 4, where the second magnet further comprises a second magnet diameter; the second magnet connected to a second threaded section having a second threaded section diameter; where the second threaded section diameter is less than the second magnet diameter; the second end further comprises a second threaded portion insertable into the second threaded section to connect the second end to the second magnet.
 6. The piece of jewelry having a clasp of claim 5 where the first threaded section is rotatably attached to the first magnet and the second threaded section is rotatably attached to the second magnet.
 7. The piece of jewelry having a clasp of claim 4 where the piece of jewelry is a necklace.
 8. The piece of jewelry having a clasp of claim 4 where the piece of jewelry is a bracelet.
 9. The piece of jewelry having a clasp of claim 4 where the piece of jewelry is an anklet.
 10. A necklace having a clasp, comprising: a first magnet having a first magnet diameter and a first polarity; the first magnet rotatably attached to a first threaded section having a first threaded section diameter; where the first threaded section diameter is less than the first magnet diameter; a second magnet having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; where the second magnet is removeably and magnetically joined to the first magnet; the necklace having a first end and second end; the first end of the necklace having a first threaded portion insertable into the first threaded section; where the second end is connected to the second magnet; where the second magnet further comprises a second magnet diameter; the second magnet rotatably connected to a second threaded section having a second threaded section diameter; where the second threaded section diameter is less than the second magnet diameter; the second end further comprises a second threaded portion insertable into the second threaded section to connect the second end to the second magnet. 